Vanderbilt report on improper conduct allegations sent to SEC

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 4:33pm

Staff reports

Vanderbilt completed its internal investigation involving the football coaching staff’s activity with possible transfer and former Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien. The school forwarded the report to the Southeastern Conference.

“We did a thorough review,” vice chancellor of athletics David Williams said. “We looked closely at months of phone and email records, and Twitter accounts. We interviewed all of our coaches with University of Maryland backgrounds, and we also interviewed the student-athlete.”

Last month, O’Brien announced his intent to transfer from Maryland. He has two years of eligibility remaining and because he is graduating this May from Maryland, he won’t have to sit out a year before playing.

O’Brien played for Vanderbilt coach James Franklin at Maryland in 2010 and was the ACC Rookie of the Year when Franklin was the offensive coordinator for the Terrapins. Maryland head coach Randy Edsall filed a complaint involving improper contact with the Atlantic Coast Conference, which notified the SEC.

“Our reputation is our primary concern,” Williams said. “We have a long and proud history of playing by the letter and the spirit of the rules. Coach Franklin feels the same way. He and his staff were most cooperative.”